The Flow State
The ~Flow~ State.
I’m fascinated by this seemingly elusive concept, known as a, “feeling of energized focus, full involvement, and enjoyment in the process of an activity.”
I’m also realizing the importance of it in this busy, always-on world. While the countless notifications and myriad of distractions on our phones can make it difficult to experience this state, here are some ways we can practice it our everyday lives:
Hobbies
The first thing that comes to mind for me are artistic hobbies like dance, painting, playing an instrument – any activity where we get lost in our own creative expression and experience the feeling of timelessness.
Productivity and work
I love being so engrossed in work that it makes me lose track of time. For me, this happens when I’m writing and the words just seem to pour out of me. Of course, there are times I experience writer’s block (like we all do!), so I’m always grateful for the times where I’m really in the zone and the words come out effortlessly.
Mindset and confidence
The Flow State can also help us build our confidence and develop a growth mindset! In this article, positive psychologist Mihály Csíkszentmihályi says this state, “acts as a magnet for learning new skills and increasing challenges.” When we’re in this state, we strike a delicate balance of using our abilities to their utmost capacity, while also challenging ourselves in an attainable way. It’s intrinsically rewarding, so we do it again, and as a result, we keep growing and improving.
Self care routine
I believe your ideal self care routine should feel natural, effortless, and purely sublime. After some fine-tuning, I’ve created a routine that I genuinely love:
Getting up early
Preparing a healthy breakfast
Journaling
Working out
Skincare
And overall taking care of myself!
Of course, my routine isn't perfect, and I certainly need more motivation on some days than others in order to complete it. But, I do find myself getting so zenned-out in my routine that I find it quite applicable here.
Mindfulness and presence
Getting into the flow state is a perfect way to get focused and bring our mind and body to the present moment. We can access this by practicing meditation and taking deep, mindful breaths.
Conversations
We can also get into the flow state with the company of others! When we connect with someone through a deep, meaningful conversation, the feeling is enhanced tenfold— and we’re able to bring even more value and positivity to each other’s lives!
